Cigarette dispenser



June 8, 1937. R MAYER 7 2,083,465

CIGARETTE DISPENSER I Filed Sept. 25,-.193e 56 Sheet-Sheet 1 Qichqrd ay e} T ATTORNEY.

June 8, 1937. R. MAYER I CIGARETTE DISPENSER 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 25, 1936 fig. 3'

w w l 6 W w W M Wu 8 fi m y w 4% c m a a Pmharfda-"Mayer W x L ATTORNEY.

June 8, 1937. R. MAYER v CIGARETTE DISPENSER Filed Sept. 25,1956

6 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. Enchard Mayer J1me 193?. R. MAYER 2,03,465

C IGARETTE DI SPENSER Filed Sept. 25, 1.956 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 94 wi l June 8, 1937- R. MAYER 2,083,465

' CIGARETTE DISPENSER Filed Sept. 25, 19 36 H 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 His - INVENTOR. Pichord Mayer June 8, 1937. 'R MAYE 2,083,465

CIGARETTE DISPENSER Filed Sept. 25, 1.936 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented June 8, 1937 I v UNITED STATES PATENTPOFFFFICEI I CIGARETTE DISPENSER Richard Mayer, New Rochelle, N. Y., assignor to Francis 0. Copeland, Beverly Hills, Calif.

Application September 25, 1936, Serial No. 102,459

' 17 Claims. (01. 312-15) This invention relates primarily to cigarette versal practice to energize an ignition element dispensers and, in its preferred, practical form, either manually or mechanically as the case may the dispenser of this invention is so constituted be, but the mechanism has been so constituted that it will dispense a lighted cigarette. that the ignition element continues to operate as The present invention may be utilized in conlong as the device is manually p iunction with an appropriate anchorage to hold chanically operated. As a result of these conit in place or it ma be used as a dispenser of stru t ons, the i niti n e m nts f prior d v s the portable type wherein no anchorage is emwere very apt to burn out, unless they were made ployed. extremely ruggedand, when so made,'they heated One object of the invention is to provide such a v ry s wly d r qu d an u d s r e terval 10 portable type lighter which may be manipulated to heat up sufficientlyto light ar t F efliciently and satisfactorily through the use of thermore, they were bulky and s y and r one hand of the operator and without necessiq O much p Consequently, an tating the use of his other hand to hold the dispo t nt o je t r t e pr invention is to p penser in place. This is accomplished, generalvide ignition me ns which is ap d to u tion 15 ly speaking, by providing a simple type of movefor a pred Period 3280 as to P p y ,ment of the operating part or prime mover which safeguard it against burning out andthus enwill not tend to shift the casing of the dispenser. able me to employ a relatively s a e e d Prior lighters, of the type referred to, have genn w h l r p dly a and permit of xverally been such as require the casing to be Deditioil d pe s ng of lighted cigarettes held while a drawer is pulled out or leversarc Another obje t f the invention is to so strucoperated, whereas with the present invention in tur'ally constitute the device that practically any its preferred, practical form, the lifting of an part the eof may he readily 811d appropriate cover to the case will automaticaimoved for'the substitution of a new part in the 1y bring about the dispensing of the cigarette event. of breakage and Y Provide 5 and the lighting thereof, if such lighting is demechanism which will operate smoothly to'propsired, erly deliver cigarettes individually without clog- Afurther object of the invention is to provide girg or damage to the cigarettes d wit fi a dispenser wherein all operating mechanism, solute certainty. i such as gears, levers or the like, is concealed Features of the invention, other than those 30 from view by the casing which is in the form of adverted to will be app from the hereinafter an ornamental housing having a cover so condetailed description and claims when read in connected with the operating parts that the open- .junction with the accompa y d w sing or closing of the cover effects the operation The accompanying drawings-illustratediflerof such parts, ent practical embodiments oI-the invention, but 35 In prior dispensers it has been almost the unithe constructions therein shown are to be unform practice to load the dispenser by the openderstood as illustrative, only, and not as defining ing of a cover, drawer or the like, the dispensing the limits of the invention. of the cigarettes being accomplished through an-. Figure 1 is a plan view of the device of this 0 other or different opening than that closed by inven i n rem ved from he a in which nor- 40 the cover or drawer. In the present invention, in mally houses the same. contradistinction, the cigarettes are introduced Figure 2 is an underneath plan view of the into the receptacle in which they are normally structure shown in Figure-1. containedby lifting of the cover and they are Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-4 of Figalso dispensed by lifting the same cover. ure. 1.

Another object of the invention is to provide a Figure 4 is a section on the line l-l'of Figdispensing mechanism, with or without an as'soure' 2. l elated ignition mechanism, so constituted that it Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figmay be manufactured and assembled as a unit, ures 1 and 2. 5n and thereafter slipped into an appropriate orna- Figures 6, 'I and 8 are sections in the plane of mental case of any desireddesign and readily the line 6-6 of-Figures 1 and 2 illustrating difconnected with the coyer of such case to render Ierent operating positions of the cigarette disthe mechanism thereof operable and controllable penser mechanism. r by pivotal movement or the cover. ,Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 4, but show- In the lighters of the prior art, it has been uniing the inner lid open. 55

. wiring and current Figure is a detailed perspective view of, the cigarette lifting device.

F'l'gures 11 and 12 are fragmental views showing the operation of the cigarette lifting and tilting means in diflerentoperative positions.

Figures 13 to 20 are perspective views showing diiferent structural parts of the device of this invention in detail and in assembled relation and illustrating the way in which they cooperate with one another to form the finished assembly thereof.

Figures 21.22 and 23 are wiring diagrams of controlling mechanism associated with the ignition device.

Attention is flrst directed to Figures 13 to 29 of the drawings wherein I have shown certain structural elements of the device of this invention in its preferred practical form, and the manner in which they are made for'subsequent assembly. These parts may be conveniently made in the form of stampings through the employment of suitable dies, well adapted for rapid quantity production.

Figure 13 shows the part I which I will hereinafter term the tray, for the reason that the cigarettes to be dispensed are normally contained therein. The tray i has a sloping or inclined bottom 2, The forward end of which is turned up, as shownat I. To the opposite ends of the bottom are secured upstanding side walls 4, provided at their upper edges with laterally extending flanges i occupying the same horizontal plane and provided with punched slots 6 assembly, as presently explained. The tray is open at the back and front and the bottom 2 has a perceptible slope in the direction of the upturned forward end I. At the back edge of the bottom I, tongues are provided which are curled downwardly to form hinge members I and at the upper rear corners of the side walls are perforations 8. Similar perforations I are formed in the forward upper corners of said side walls and at the forward edge of one flde wall is a laterally extending tongue II with an adjacent perforation ii. These parts II and ii are adapted to assist in attaching; the. element support l2, shown in Figure 19.

At about substantially the center of the side walls 4 are outwardly punched drawn bosses II which act as bearings for the agitator part l4, shown in Figure 18. In, the left hand wall of Figure 13 is formed a clearance slot I! for the passage of a cam follower I. of a flapper or gate fit, a hinge pin passed i1, shown in formed three I the operations of the agitator 20 of said agitator i4.

i is flrst attached the flapper IT, This flapper is of vertical arcuate cross section and is provided curled edge through which is passed a pin or rod 2i adapted to be received in the perforations 8 of the tray walls v pivotal movement with respect to the tray. The pin ii has a pressure flt with the curled end of the flapper. so that it can be readily assembled and dismantled when desired.

After the attachment of the flapper, a lid 22 (Figure is next applied. This lid is in the form of a flat plate large enough to cover the Figure 14, and in the bottom 2 are fingers I! and open top of the tray and the rear edge of which to receive, with a pressed therethrough and through the traywalls 4 to mount The he ca ries a r g plate is curled, at 28,

the perforations I of the lid on the tray.

to facilitate front-to-rear slots II to permit'of 4 to mount the flapper for.

bracket 24 having an outwardly extending pin 2|, parallel to the hinge pin of the lid to actuate operating parts, as hereinafter explained. I

The parts thus assembled are next applied to cover of the housing and thus eliminate friction or wear.

The upper central portion of the top is stamped out to provide an opening 21 which extends from the back wall to a point adjacent to. but spaced from, the front wall of the top and for the greater portion of the width of the top, but the greater portion of the materal thus stamped out. is bent downwardly to form an apron 28 which is curved about the same center as the flapper 11, so that the curvature of the apron 28 and the flapper i! will be concentric. The center of these curves headless set screws Iii, passed through ears 2! formed and bent back from the back wall .of, the top and which set screws are passed through the outside casing or housing of the box and serve in part to secure the top to the casing. The lower end of the apron 28 is bent forwardly to form a flange Ii adapted to seat on the bottom of the casing and this flange is provided with a tapped hole 32 which assists the screws 30 in securing the top to the casing, as hereinafter explained in detail. During the stamping ofthe top, tongues II are stamped out and leave openings 34 in the apron which serve no useful purpose.

The top is thus formed with flanges overlying its two sides and front, but these flanges are cut with one of the lcuvres to facilitate the handling thereof.

The lower edge of the curled, as shown at 4i, to receive an assembly pin ends of which are formed a perforated punched I out boss 49 and a cam slot 66. In the hangers 46 and 41 are alined perforations 6| and the parts are so proportioned that these perforations 6| will find bearings on the exterior punched out bosses l3 in the side walls of the tray I, with the bottom bar 46 extending across beneath the bottom 2 of said tray and with the agitator fingers l9 and 26 cooperating with the openings l6 in the bottom of the tray. When the agitator is in 'bosses l3, the cam slot 66 will act upon the follower l6 of the flapper to produce pivotal movement of the latter and move the lower edge thereof toward and away from the forward upturned edge 6 of the traybottom in order to permit or exclude the passage of cigarettes individually between these parts, while the agitator fingers agitate the cigarettes in the tray in order that they may be maintained in proper stacked relation to properly gravitate into dispensing position.

The fingers in question have the further function of assisting in the ejection of the cigarette as will be hereinafter more fullyexplained in connection with the operation of the device.

To the parts thus assembled is next added the supporting element l2 of Figure 19. This element is made in the form of an upright fiat plate, the upper end portion 62 of which may be left in upstanding position if unlighted cigarettes are to be dispensed, but if lighted cigarettes are to be dispensed, this upper portion is bent over to form a laterally extending flange 63 which is punched out to provide. an opening 64. The forward edge of the'plate is cut away at 66 to provide a stop or abutment 66 and the body of the plate 'has a perforation 61 and a vertical elongated slot 66. In attaching the element support, the slot 66 is brought into position to receive the projection i6 on the tray, so that the hole 61 will register with the hole H of the tray. If unlighted cigarettes are to be dispensed a rivet is simply passed through these holes and headed over, but if lighted cigarettes are to be dispensed, there is passed through these holes a stud 69 which also serves as a pivotal mounting for a pivoted bracket 66, as clearly shown in Figure 4. The stud 66 is of the shouldered kind, so as to bind the element support i2 firmly to the tray, but to permit of free pivotal movement of a bracket 66, as

.shown in Figures 4 and 9. The bracket extends rearwardly from the stud 56 with its greater portion in the form of a flat plate occupying a vertical plane. The plate is provided at its free end with an upstanding tongue 6| having therein a cam slot 62 which receives the pin 26 of the lid 62, so that as the lid 22 is raised, the free. end of the pivoted bracket .66 is also raised and, whenthe lid is again lowered, the bracket is lowered.

' The lower edge of the pivoted bracket 66 carries-a right angle flange 66 to which is riveted of otherwise attached an angle plate 64 carrying ries-an adjusting. screw 12, bearing against a contact on the leaf 61. The parts 66. ll, 12 and 61 constitute a thermostatic portion of the switch. The leaf 66 is a rigid leaf and with the resilient leaf 66 constitutes the main switch. These two latter leaves carry cooperating contacts which tend to engage one another.

Mounted on the switch bracket 66 is a switch operating arm 16 pivotally attached to the bracket 66 by a headed and shouldered .stud 14 which permits of pivotal movement of the switch operating arm 16 on the bracket and independently of the pivotal movement of the latter. Near the free end of said switch operating arm is an 1 insulating button 16 secured to a right angular bend on the operating arm and this bend carries an inclined tail [6 against-which the pin 44 (Figure 3) of the cover is adapted to act.

The several leaves of the switch 66 are connected according to wiring diagrams, shown in Figures 21-23, to include in the circuit an ignition element 'I'I which in practice may be of any suitable construction, but is preferably of substantially circular form comprising a substantially cylindrical core of insulating refractory material encircled by a coil of resistance wire. The ignition element is so constituted'that it can be readily changed if replacement is desired. The ignition element is mounted in any appropriate way upon an insulatedmounting I6 rigid with the element support I! and resting on the flange 66 thereof (Figure 19). The insulating element 16 carries two contacts connected to the resistance wire of the ignition element and these contacts are connected to the leaves of the switch as will be presently explained.

After all of the parts thus described are assembled as stated, there is next associated with sa.d assembly an operating yoke shown in detail in Figure 10. This operating yoke is of substantially U-shape section and comprises two forwardy extending arms I6 connected by a transverse front arm 66. The rear end of each arm IS-is shaped like a quadrant and is provided therein with arcuate slots ill and with rearwardly extending ears 62 having perforations 66.

Against the inner face of the front bar 66 is pivotally mounted a cigarette dispensing trough or receiver 64. This trough is pivoted to the front bar by a shouldered stud 65, the pivoting being accomplished slightly off center, so that the left hand end of the trough in Figure 10 is the heavier end. To this heavier end .is pivoted a pusher element 66 having an upstanding pusher The opposite end of the trough carries a finger 66 which is adapted to cooperate with the stop or abutment 66 of the element support I! (Figure 19). The trough 64 is of inverted channel section and the pusher element is pivoted within the channel in such a way that it will normally gravitate into a position to raise the pusher 61 above the face of the trough, which .is concave to receive and hold a cigarette. Nevertheless the pusher element is free to be retracted into the trough, as presently described.

The parts shown in Figure 10 are mounted in i such a way that the yoke ex eriorly embracesthe front and sides of the tray I with the screws 66 passing through the holes 66 of the yoke and with the pin 44 of the cover passing through the slot 6|.

The parts are so proportioned that, when assembled as described, the apron 26 of the top stamping will be concentric with the front edge of the side walls 4 of the tray and with the cur-' vature of the flapper I1 and will leave a space or arcuate passage between the apron and the said front edges of the tray walls, substantially equal to the front to rear dimension of the trough with sufficient clearance to permit the trough to move up and down through the passage thus provided, about the center of oscillation of the yoke, as clearly shown in Figure 3.

The ignition element is now wired up in any one of several ways, illustrative forms of wiring diagrams being shown in Figures 21-23, inclusive. Figure 21 shows a multiple circuit. According to this showing, One lead-in wire 99 leads to the leaf spring 99. A wire 99 leads from the rigid leaf 99 to the leaf 99, while a wire '9I leads from leaf 91 to the resistance coil of the ignition element I1 and from thence wire 92 leads to the other lead-in wire 99. A shunt circuit connects with the lead-in wire 99 and includes'the heating element II, the other terminal of said element being connected to the leaf 99. Condensers 99 are shunted about each switch to preclude'sparking.

The leaves 99 and 91 are both bimetal and they both have the same physical characteristics and are so constituted as to react to heat in the same direction for reasons presently explained.

In Figure 22, the lead wire 99 passes to leaf 99, while wire 99 leads from leaf 99 to leaf 91. Wire 9i leads to the ignition element" and the other I terminal of the element is connected by wire 92 simply arranged inseries with the leaves 99 and 99.

While I have described particular switch mechanism in connection with these diagrams,

I wish it understood that any other suitableswitch mechanism, operable in substantially the same way, may be used without departing-from this invention. This is particularly true of the construction of Figure 23, where any kind of switch can be used to control the energizing. of the ignition element. The electrical operation of the circuits, which I have described, will be hereinafter more fully explained in connection with the operations of a device as a whole.

After the current switching mechanism and ignition element have been wired up in any of the ways specified or in any other suitable manner, the parts as thus far assembled are ready to be introduced into the casing. I may, in practice, employ casings of widely different shape and materials depending upon the artistic taste of the designer and upon the price at which the device is to sell or the environment in which it is to be used. However, and without intending in anywise to restrict as to materials and shaping, I have shown a simple molded box-like casing. The box body 96 is of rectangular form having four sides and ,a bottom and this box body is adapted to be closed at its top by a cover 91 hinged to the box body in any appropriate way. For the purpose of illustration, a hinge 99 is shown with two leaves, one of which is secured to the cover and the other to the box body, so that the cover may be opened and closed in the manner of an ordinary hinged cover box. The

cover 91. They may be associated therewith in is secured to the cover.

any appropriate way. For example, they maybe cast on the cover or may be made separate and secured thereto or they may be mounted on or form an integral part of the hinge leaf which In any event, the brackas the cover is opened and closed.

Into a box of thisconstruction, the assembled metal parts of the structure are adapted to be introduced. They are picked up as a unit and dropped into the box body 99. During this operation, the pins 44 are engaged with the slots 9| and, as the unit comes to rest in the box body, the flange 9| comes to rest on the bottom of the box and is secured in place by one or more screws 99 passed upwardly through the box body and threaded into the tapped hole 92 in flange 9|, as shown for example in Figures 3-5. At the same time perforations in the lugs 29 of the top stamping, as well as the perforations 99 in the lugs 92 of the yoke are brought into alinement with tapped holes extending longitudinally into the rear wall of the box body and the screws 99 are thereupon introduced into these several holes and perforations and serve to mount the rear endof the unit rigidly in place. The wiring to the ignition element is carried through a hole I90 in the back of the box and equipped with an appropriate connector to fit a conventional wiring outlet. -The bottom of the box body is shown as provided with an opening IIlI adapted to be closed by a plate I02 with which is associated a rotatable fiat spring I09 which, through rotation, may be caused to engage or disengage the lateral edges of the opening to hold the plate I92 in position. A series of laminations of blotting paper I94 may be associated with the inside of the plate I92 to serve as a humidifier when moistened. The rivet which holds the spring to the plate I92 has a slotted head adapted to receive the edge of a coin, so as to permit the spring I09 to be rotated at will. The purpose of the plate I92 is to close the bottom of the box, but to permit it to be opened to dump out particles of tobacco or other extraneous matter that may accumulate in the box body. The humidifying blotting paper I99 may be readily moistened by removing the plate I02 and applying a few drops of water thereto. Having described the structure of the device of this invention, I will now proceed to describe the operation of the parts, it being assumed that the electrical terminals are plugged in to a suitable source of supply and that the tray contains cigarettes.

With the lid closed, the operating parts will partake of the positions shown in figures 4, 6, 8 and 11. By reference to Figure 4'," it will be noted that current is broken at the contacts of the leaves 69 and 99, so that the circuit will be dead. This is the normal condition of the parts. A cigarette will be in the position indicated in Figure 6 at I95 and the flapper I1 and the agitator fingers I9 will be in the positions shown in this figure to preclude the exit of any other cigarettes from the tray.

If the prospective smoker now desires to obtain a cigarette, he simply lifts the cover 91 which will result in the following operations. As the cover rises, it carries with it the pins 99 which come into engagement with the upper blind ends of the slots 9I of the yoke 99 and swing said yoke upwardly about the pivots 99 thereby elevating the trough or receiver 99 to the position shown in Figures 7 and 12. As the causing the pusher 81 to bear against the far end of the cigarette and push it against the ignition element, so that it may be ignited thereby.

During the upward swinging movement of the yoke, a pin I06 on the yoke, which is engaged with the perforated boss 68 of the agitator, os-

cillates said agitator about the axis of the bosses l3 of the tray, thereby causing the hanger to be oscillated into the position shown in Figure 5 with the result that the flap or gate I! is moved to bring its lower edge directly adJacent the forward edge of the tray to close the opening therebetween and preclude the passage of any cigarettethrough such opening. At the same time the agitator fingers l8 are swung downwardly while the rear agitator finger 20 is swung upwardly. This allows the cigarettes to gravitate forwardly against the flap H but will permit none to exit from the tray. The parts are so timed, however, with respect to the opening in the boss 49 and the pin I86, together with the shaping and engages with the leaf 66.

of the cam track and thefollower I6, that the trough will keep the opening closed until the flapper has been brought into proper position.

At the conclusion of the upward movement of the yoke, the cigarette is in a. position (Figures 7 and 12) to be. manually removed from the trough and if unlighted cigarettes are desired the operation may be considered as complete. However, since the preferred form of the invention contemplates the dispensing of lighted cigarettes, I will proceed to describe the manner in which this is accomplished.

During the upward swinging movement of. the yoke as described, the pin 44, carried by the cover of the box, leaves the position shown in Figure 4 and as soon as pressure on the tall 16 is relieved, the resilient leaf spring 66 elevates If the circuit employed is that shown in Figure 21, this will resuit in a flow of current from the line 88 through contacts 69, 68 and line 80 to contact 66. Here the current will-divide, a part of the same passing through the line 8! through the ignition element TI and from thence through wire 62 back to line 83. The other portion of the current will pass through heater H to return to the line 83. As a result of the completion of these circuits, the resistance coil of the ignition element 13 I will be energized and will glow for the purpose of lighting the cigarette resting in inclined rela*- tion in the trough 86, with one end thereof held against the ignition element or in close proximity thereto by the pusher 81. After the cigarette is lit, .it may be picked up from the trough and smoked in the usual way. The cover 91 should now be closed, but, if, for any reason, it is left open, the resistance coil of the ignition element will not burn out for it is protected by the thermostatic switch to which I have referred.

More specifically, the current passing through the heater II will, after a predetermined duration of time, depending upon the adjustment of the screw 12 v(Figures 4 and 9), be shut off by an upward warping of the bi-metallic leaf 66 to carry it free from contact with the leaf 61. As

soon as this occurs, the circuit through the ignition element will be broken until the thermostatic leaf 66 cools off and re-engages the leaf 61. This cannot, however, occur until the cover is closed to move the leaf 69 out of contact with the leaf 68 because the circuit through the heater II will remain energized as long as the leaves 66 and 66 are in contact. As'soon as the cover is closed, however, the leaf 69 will be forced away "from the leaf 66 to break the circuit through the heater II and allow the thermostatic leaf 66 to cool off and re-engage with the leaf 61. I have hereinbefore stated that the leaf 6! is also bimetallic and has a thermostatic operation. The reason for this is that the operation of the cover at short intervals by several persons for the dispensing of cigarettes in succession may tend to ure 22, the opening of the cover will bring the leaf 68 into engagement with the leaf 68 and the -leaves66 and 61 being in contact, the circuit will be closed through the ignition element I1 and simultaneously through the heater Ii. After a suflicient period of operation of the ignition element to'properly light a cigarette, the heater Ii will cause breaking of the circuit by warping the leaf 66 out of contaqt with theleaf 6'! and thus protect the ignition element from burning out. If the cover is closed promptly, the current will be broken again at 6968, but if the cover is left open until the bi-metal leaf 66 again contacts with 61, the element 1 I will again be ignited for a period. The leaves 66'and 61' are both bi-metal as hereinbefore described for the purpose stated.

If the circuit of Figure 23 is used, the opening of the cover will close 'the circuit at 68-68 and the element 11 will be energized until the cover is closed. This circuit does not include the thermostatic protection embodied in the two previous wiring diagrams.

Irrespective as to the circuit employed to light a cigarette, it will be apparent that the cigarette is delivered from the tray into accessible position on the trough or receiver, so that it may be manually picked up and smoked. After the cigarette has been removed the cover should be closed and, when this is done, the following operations take place. r

As the cover swings into closed position, it

carries with it the pins 64 which traverse the slots 8i of the yoke and cause the yoke to be depressed from the position shown in Figures 3, 5,7 and 12 to the position of Figures 4, 6, 8 and 11. As. the yoke descends the pin I66 thereon 00- operates with the perforated boss 48 to oscillate the agitator, but the holes in this boss are made large enough to permit of considerable lost motion, so that the yoke has substantially reached its lowermost position by the time the pin I66 (Figure 5) engages with the lower edge of the perforations 69. When it does, it tilts the agitator about the axis of the pivots I 3, so that it moves from the position shown in Figure 7 to the position of Figure 8. This brings about the following operations.

During the initial tilting movement, the cam slot 48 (Figure ,5) swings the cam follower ii to wardly, so as to, in effect, throw it into the trough 84, as indicated in Figure 8. At the same time, the lower end of the flapper or gate precludes other cigarettes from following, while the fingers 20 of the agitator agitate the remaining cigarettes to keep them in proper parallel relation to be fed in succession. The parts are left in the position shown in Figure 6 with a cigarette H15 in the trough ready to be dispensed when the cover is next lifted. When the cover is lifted, the flapper I1 is moved into the position of Figure 7 before the trough clears the space between 'the outlet of the tray and the flapper, so that a cigarette cannot be inadvertently thrown out of the tray into the box bodybelow the trough. v

In practice, I have found that the operations which have been described occur with smooth precision to dispense cigarettes individually in a thoroughly satisfactory manner. If lighted cigarettes are desired, the ignition element is employed, but if unlighted cigarettes only are wanted, all the ignition means to which I have referred'may be eliminated. The structure described lends itself admirably to quantity. production, practically all the parts are assembled in a way to permit them to be readily dismantled for, replacements if necessary and in every casewherein the thermostatic switch is employed, the ignition element is thoroughly safeguarded against burning out through automatic limitation of its period of active operation. By utilizing such a control, it is possible for me to use a relatively light resistance coil which heats up with great rapidity and effects a quick lighting of the cigarette, so that the recipient need not wait for a protracted period, as has generally been the case in prior constructions. Furthermore, it will be noted that the cigarettes are forcibly ejected. In other words, they do not depend upon gravity for their operation, as the finger I! actually kicks them out of the tray into the dispensing troughfwhile the flapper and the remaining parts of the agitator retain other cigarettes from following except at such times as proper under the conditions. All parts of the structure are positively operated and are absolutely dependable.

After all the cigarettes have been dispensed from the tray, it is of course necessary to replenish the supply and this necessitates the lifting of the cover which will of course cause energizing of the ignition element if some means were not provided to compensate for this. This function is performed by the switch arm I3 for it is necessary to lift the lid 22 in order to 'put the cigarettes into the tray and when the lid is so lifted, it carries with it the pin 25 (Figures 4 and 9) causing the bracket 60 to be elevated sufflciently to bring the edge I08 of the arm 13 into engagement with the under side of the top stamping as shown in Figure 9, so that, when the cover is lifted the arm 13 is swung downwardly on its pivot II .to cause the insulating button 15 to force the leaf 6! out of engagement with the leaf Cl and open the circuit to the ignition element. Thus, when the lid is lifted, the current is cut oil! and the ignition element is de-energized during the period of introducing cigarettes into the tray. There is thus no tendency to burn the hands nor is there any waste of current during this period.

With the arrangement described, it will be noted that the cigarettes are introduced into the casing through a top opening thereof and through the same top opening as that through which said cigarettes are individually dispensed.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A cigarette dispenser and lighter comprising a casing adapted to contain cigarettes, an ignition element, a movable dispenser adapted to receive cigarettes individually from the casing and move them into juxtaposition with the ignition element, said dispenser having a tiltable support for the individual cigarettes, and means for tilting said support toincline a cigarette supported thereon in the direction of the ignition element as the receiver approaches cigarette dispensing position to permit the cigarette to gravitate into the cover to render the receiver responsive to the operations of the cover, said receiver being adapted to present the cigarettes to the ignition element in downwardly inclined relation to the ignition element, whereby the cigarette is causedto gravitate into cooperative relation with the ignition element.

3. A cigarette dispenser comprising a casing having a box body and a pivoted cover, a cigarette container provided with a cigarette outlet within the box body, a receiver movable about an axis of pivotal movement from a position adjacent said outlet to accessible position at the top of the box body and adapted to transport cigarettes individually from the container into accessible dispensing position, and operating connections between the receiver and the cover to operate the receiver when the cover is opened and closed, an ignition device positioned in proximity to one end of a cigarette supported by the receiver when in such dispensing position, to ignite the cigarette, and operating connections between the cover and the ignition device to control the latter.

4. A cigarette dispenser comprising a casing having a box body and a pivoted cover, a cigarette container provided with a cigarette outlet within the box body, a receiver movable about an axis of pivotal movement from a position adjacent said outlet to accessible position at the top of the box body and adapted to transport cigarettes individually from the container into accessible dispensing position, and operating connections between the receiver and the cover to operate the recever when thecover is opened and closed and an ignition device positioned in proximity to one end of a cigarette supported by the receiver when in such dispensing position, to ignite the cigarette, and means, operable upon movement of the receiver intocigarette dispensinto cooperative relation with the ignition device. 5. A cigarette dispenser comprising a casing having a box body and a pivoted cover, a cigaing position to move a cigarette longitudinally rette container provided with a cigarette outlet within the box body, a receiver movable about an axis of pivotal movement from a position adjacent said outlet to accessible position at the top of the box body and adapted to transport cigarettes individually from the container into accessible dispensing position, and operating connections between the receiver and the cover to operate the receiver when the cover is. opened and closed and an ignition device positioned in proximity to one end of a cigarette supported by the receiver when in such dispensing position, to ignite the cigarette, and means operable upon movement of the receiver into dispensing position to tilt said receiver into inclined relation with respect to the, ignition device and facilitate the gravitation of the cigarette into cooperative relation with the ignition device.

6. A cigarette dispenser and lighter comprising a'receptacle having a movable cover and provided with a dispensing opening, an ignition element mounted on the receptacle adjacent the dispensing opening, a receiver adapted to convey cigarettes individually from the interior of the receptacle to the dispensing opening and into juxtaposition with said ignition element, operating connections between the receiver and the cover to render the receiver responsive to the operations of the cover, said receiver being adapted to present the cigarettes to the ignition element in downwardly inclined relation to the ignition element, whereby the cigarette is caused to gravitate into cooperative relation with the ignition element, and means also controlled by movement of the cover for energizing and deenergizing the ignition element.

7. A cigarette dispenser comprising a casing having a body and a pivoted cover and provided within the body with a cigarette container having a lid, cigarette dispensing means, operable upon opening of the cover, to convey cigarettes individually from the container into an accessible dispensing position above the body, an ignition device positioned to register with one end of a cigarette when in dispensing position, means controlled by the pivoted cover to energize the ignition device when the cover is opened, and

means operable by the opening of the lid of the container to de-energize the ignition device so long as the lid is. open.

8. A cigarette dispenser comprising a casing having a body and a pivoted cover and provided within the body with a cigarette container having a lid, dispensing means for transporting cigarettes individually from thecontainer into convenient dispensing position, and an ignition element juxtaposed with one end of a cigarette when in dispensing position, said ignition element being responsive to the operations of both the cover and the lid.

9. A cigarette dispenser comprising a casing having a pivoted cover and provided therein with a cigarette container, a receiver adapted to individually receive cigarettes from the container and deliver them individually into accessible dispensing position at the top of the container, an ignition device juxtaposed with one end of a I cigarette in such dispensing position, an elec trlc circuit including the ignition device, and thermostatic currentswltching means, controlled by the cover, to energize the ignition device when the cover is opened and to automatically de-energize said device after a predetermined period of operation, a lid on said container, and operative connections between the lid and the thermostatic current switching means to also deenergize the ignition device when the lid is opened. 7

10. A cigarette dispenser comprising a casing having a pivoted cover and provided therein with a cigarette container having an outlet, 9. receiver movable from a point adjacent the outlet of the container into convenient dispensing position at the top of the casing, operative connections between the receiver and the cover to operate the receiver through pivotal movement of the cover, and means also operable through pivotal movement of the cover to forcibly eject a cigarette from the container and deposit the same upon the receiver.

11. A cigarette dispenser comprising a casinghaving a pivoted cover and provided therein with a cigarette container having an outlet, a receiver movable from a point adjacent the outlet of the container into convenient dispensing position at the top of the casing, operative connections between the receiver and the cover to operate the receiver through pivotal movement of the cover, and means also operable through pivotal movement of the cover to forcibly eject a cigarette from the container and deposit the same upon the receiver, and simultaneously close the outlet of the container against the passage of other cigarettes.

12. A cigarette dispenser comprising a casing having a pivoted cover and provided therein with a cigarette container having an outlet, a receiver movable from a point adjacent the outlet of the container into convenient dispensing position at the top of the casing, operative connections between the receiver and the cover to operate the an agitator cooperating with the container and mounted for oscillating movement with respect thereto, said agitator being operatively connected with the cover to be movable when the cover is opened and closed and having ejector fingers adapted to engage with and forcibly eject a single cigarette from the container into the receiver, when the cover is closed.

13. A cigarette dispenser comprising a casing having a pivoted cover and provided therein with a cigarette container having an outlet adapted to be closed when the cover is closed, a receiver movable from a point adjacent the outlet of the container into convenient dispensing position at the outlet, operative connections between the receiver and the cover to operate the receiver through pivotal movement of the cover, an agitator cooperating with the container and mounted for oscillating movement with respect thereto, said agitator being operatively connected with the cover to be movable when the cover is opened and closed and having ejector fingers adapted to engage with and forcibly eject a single cigarette from the container into the receiver, when the cover is opened, and a gate also operable by movement of the cover to control the passage of cigarettes individually through the outlet of the container.

14. A cigarette dispenser comprising a casing having a movable cover and provided with a cigarette container having an outlet, there being an arcuate passage from a point adjacent the outlet of the container to a point exterior of the casing and at the top thereof beneath the cover, a yoke pivotally mounted concentric with said arcnate passage and carrying a receiver adapted, through pivotal movement of the yoke, to traverse said passage for the purpose oi transporting a cigaretteirom saidoutletintoconvenlent dispensing position, and operative. co tions between the cover and the yokefto pivot.- ally move the yoke when the cover is moved from closed to'ope'ned position and vice versa, a gate cooperatingwith the outlet of the container, said 'gatebeing operable by the yoke to close the gate when the yoke is moved into cigarette dispensing position. 15'. A cigarette dispenser and lighter comprisfing a casing adaptedto contain cigarettes" and having a discharge outlet and a movable cover,

a tiltable receiver adapted toindividually transport {the said cigarettes to the discharge outlet, an ignition element adjacent the discharge outlet,,and'means for tilting the receiver as it approachesthe ignition element to cause a cigarette supported thereon vto gravitate into cooperative relation with the ignition element. 7

16. A cigarette dispenser comprising a. casing having a discharge outlet for individual cigahaving a cigarette rettes, a receiver adapted to receive cigarettes from the casing and transport them to the, dis

charge outlet in horizontal position, and means for tilting said receiver as the cigarettes approach the discharge outlet into inclined relation to said outlet.

17.;A cigarette dispenser comprising a casing container therein, movable means to receive a cigarette from said casing and deliver it into accessible dispensing position, said means including a tiltable receiver, an-lgnition element mounted in a position juxtaposed to one end of the receiver a relatively stationary abutment in the path of when in dispensing position,

the receiver to be engaged therebrto tilt the said receiver as it approaches dispensing posioperated pusher-"mounted on the receiver and'adapted to engage with the far end of the cigarette to impel the same into 00.-

operative relation with the ignition element.

RICHARD MAYER.- 

